September 24, 2026 Budget Committee

The September 24, 2026, meeting of the Minneapolis Budget Committee focused primarily on the Health Department's proposed 2027 budget and the Climate Legacy Initiative (CLI). The Health Department's budget was presented with a recommended reduction from approximately $50 million in 2026 to $45.4 million in 2027, including cuts to positions and contractual services, notably a $3.6 million reduction in CLI contractual services. The budget preserves core public health functions and includes a $1.37 million one-time investment from opioid settlement funds. Several council members raised concerns about the impact of cuts on critical programs such as lead hazard reduction, school-based clinics, and food access initiatives like Homegrown. The CLI budget was also discussed in detail, highlighting a $3.9 million reduction from 2026 levels, with cuts affecting residential and commercial green cost share programs, workforce development, urban forestry, and waste reduction. The department emphasized prioritizing equity and maintaining essential services despite funding challenges. Questions were raised about grant reliability, program impacts, and potential capital funding for projects like the biochar facility. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further analysis and follow-up on specific program impacts and funding details.